Club Statement

[Rip Van We Go Again]

This whole fiasco would have been unthinkable just two months ago.

It's symptomatic of the whole club i'm afraid.
Since O'Neill left they've barely put a foot right.

[Jimbo]

This whole fiasco would have been unthinkable just two months ago.

It's symptomatic of the whole club i'm afraid.
Since O'Neill left they've barely put a foot right.

It's not looking good, is it?

[Fuse]

Don't Blues owe HSBC something like £3m in loan fees which haven't been paid? HSBC would have claim to the land and St Andrews if Blues default I am sure I have read that recently.

Wouldn;t surprise me if the total cost for it all is around that figure.

[citizenDJ]

It's hard to imagine (well, I think it is!) that after all this bru-ha-ha, the club won't back McLeish in the transfer market. At least a bit, anyway.

[Eigentor]

This whole fiasco would have been unthinkable just two months ago.

It's symptomatic of the whole club i'm afraid.
Since O'Neill left they've barely put a foot right.

I'm wondering if the club are aware of the risks they are taking. When they appointed GH, did they think that he was a safe choice, given his experience, good reputation and knowledge of the Premiership? Or did they also consider his health problems, his absence from top management and record of falling out with players and conclude that he was worth the gamble? To the outsider, Sven -- or even Alan Curbishley -- would have seemed a safer, though perhaps less inspiring, choice.

Same goes for McLeish: did the board think of him as a manager used to working with meagre resources, well-liked among colleagues and should thus surely be able to keep a squad as talented as Villa's in the Premiership? Or massive gamble worth taking despite his recent dismal record and the fact that some fans can't wait to jump on his back?

There seems to be a discrepancy between the board's apparent stance on risk (prudent wages, reject managers who'll hold the club to ransom (Benitez) or who'll think they're bigger than the club (Hughes)) and their actions.

[Eigentor]

It's hard to imagine (well, I think it is!) that after all this bru-ha-ha, the club won't back McLeish in the transfer market. At least a bit, anyway.

Yes, but the club seems to be trying to break records in doing unimaginable things this summer.

[TheSandman]

It's hard to imagine (well, I think it is!) that after all this bru-ha-ha, the club won't back McLeish in the transfer market. At least a bit, anyway.

You'd hope. They've got to give the poor sod a chance.

I have to say that not even the fairest minded person could argue that the process of replacing GH has been anything other than a shambles. Now, they've got to make the best out of it.

[ozzjim]

The one decent coach they have we have not bloody poached FFS. Makes no sense at all, any of it this summer. So tired of it, all thoughts of trying to think positively are eeking from my very being. Someone, somewhere provide some light, and if it is shining off Stephen Irelands head they can feck off!

[Clampy]

It's hard to imagine (well, I think it is!) that after all this bru-ha-ha, the club won't back McLeish in the transfer market. At least a bit, anyway.

It's seems unlikely Randy would appoint a manager as controversial and unpopular as McCleish and not back him properly in the transfer market, it would'nt make sense. I'm sure decent money will be spent if the right player is available.

[citizenDJ]

It's hard to imagine (well, I think it is!) that after all this bru-ha-ha, the club won't back McLeish in the transfer market. At least a bit, anyway.

Yes, but the club seems to be trying to break records in doing unimaginable things this summer.

Ha! Well, quite.

If nothing else, they MUST be of the mind that this is a long term appointment and one that will therefore be supported at least in adding one or two players to the squad.

[Legion]

4 years then?

[Phil from the upper holte]

Just think we could have mark Hughes in place now and he would have been free and we would probably be in a similar position. We could have put that money towards parker. He better be fucking worth it. He looks wrong in the badge.

[Chris Smith]

Disappointing but it's what I expected. It won't be anything close to what they wanted I'll bet. It avoids the issue being dragged on for ever and possibly to court where everything gets a lot more expensive.

What grounds do you have for thinking they won't have gotten exactly what their contractual position entitled them to?

I'm almost certain that both sides will have settled out of expediency for a compromise figure as it suits neither for this to drag on for 12 months.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Just think we could have mark Hughes in place now and he would have been free and we would probably be in a similar position. We could have put that money towards parker. He better be fucking worth it. He looks wrong in the badge.

In an updated Club Statement, they go on to say..

Whilst the Club could have held out until the 1st of July to appoint a different manager, the Club thought it was in the best interests of the fans and season ticket sales, to make the appointment of Alex McCleish, thus reducing the wait and probable implosion of impatient drama queens with our support.

[Eigentor]

Disappointing but it's what I expected. It won't be anything close to what they wanted I'll bet. It avoids the issue being dragged on for ever and possibly to court where everything gets a lot more expensive.

What grounds do you have for thinking they won't have gotten exactly what their contractual position entitled them to?

I'm almost certain that both sides will have settled out of expediency for a compromise figure as it suits neither for this to drag on for 12 months.

It's not unreasonable to assume that the one side who had most to lose by letting it go to the courts also had to make the biggest concessions.